The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has confirmed a significant rise in Mpox cases across the continent, with 21,466 reported cases and 591 deaths recorded in 13 African countries since January 2024. The growing outbreak has prompted urgent calls from the Director General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, for the approval of Mpox vaccines by all African Union (AU) Member States.
Dr. Kaseya detailed the current situation in a letter addressed to the Ministers of Health of the AU Member States. He emphasized the importance of a united and holistic approach to tackle the Mpox outbreak, highlighting the critical need for vaccine approval across the continent. According to Dr. Kaseya, the Mpox virus, a zoonotic disease, has been reported in 16 AU Member States since 2023, with a case fatality rate exceeding 3.9%.
Between January 1 and August 23, 2024, a total of 21,466 Mpox cases—comprising 3,350 confirmed and 18,116 suspected cases—have been reported across 13 countries, including Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and Nigeria. Gabon recently confirmed its first case, while Sierra Leone and Malawi are currently testing suspected cases.
Dr. Kaseya addressed concerns about the reliability of lab tests in diagnosing Mpox, stating that relying solely on lab results is not advisable. He stressed the importance of integrating lab testing with clinical assessments and epidemiological data to ensure accurate diagnosis and management of the disease. He explained that Mpox testing can yield false negatives if the sample is collected at the wrong time during the infection, leading to undetected cases.
The Director General also noted the urgent need for the approval and distribution of Mpox vaccines across Africa, warning that the continent risks being left out of vaccine distribution due to global shortages and high demand from Western nations. Currently, only Nigeria, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have approved the use of Mpox vaccines.
Dr. Kaseya called on African leaders to unite in their efforts to combat Mpox, stressing the importance of strong communication and public awareness campaigns to encourage vaccine uptake. He also highlighted the complexities surrounding vaccine access, including the need for a robust supply chain and regulatory approval to ensure the vaccines are effectively deployed to those in need.
